Cordell Taylor is a Salt Lake City–based sculptor whose work draws on industrial processes, architectural structure, and a deep understanding of materials. Before earning a BFA in Sculpture from the University of Utah in 1992, Taylor worked in the western U.S. oilfields and as a professional ironworker and fabricator—experience that continues to shape his approach to form, scale, and construction. He has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and internationally, including presentations at Phillips Gallery, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Southern Utah Museum of Art, and venues in New York, Colorado, and the Czech Republic. Taylor’s work is represented in numerous public and corporate collections and has been commissioned for major public art programs, including projects for Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. He lives and works in Salt Lake City.

ARTIST STATEMENT

With the advancement of technology and materials in contemporary times, Sculpture has taken on a new meaning but the ephemeral does not allow a person to experience, interact and touch an object in the same manner as Sculpture and the 3rd-Dimension.

For me the 3rd dimension is obvious, whether it’s a building, a sculpture or nature, I need to touch it. I am a sculptor of Material, (ie: Stone, Wood and Metals).and these feelings are lost to me with contemporary installations and computer generated imagery. It is because of this that I continue to make sculptural objects. I’m not refusing the usage of “Technology”, it is that for me, there is no feeling for it. It is similar to virtual reality and being on the Internet, where you can see something but there is no physical relationship to it or with it.

My works are a metamorphosis of Nature and Man, taking on architectural or even geological like qualities, resulting in forms ,whose shapes penetrate and lock into each other, creating new forms. Each shape growing from or supporting the other.

These sculptures are investigations of shape, color and texture, defining form and space, and studies of mass and balance, both visual and implied.Emphasizing a relationship between scale and proportion.

Starting with models I scale up the design into a size and Material suitable to the location. Textures, and negative space can also be added to the artworks and are also important components adding to the result of these works and creating a more natural look and feeling to the Sculptures. Introducing perforated materials can create transparency, causing forms to disappear and reappear or simply vibrate with energy, and giving an illusion of movement and growth.

“As an artist, I look for things that will enhance my creativity and broaden my knowledge of creating new art objects. Nature and architecture are my greatest influences. Outcroppings of geological formations or a new Museum have an equal impact on my creative energy and each send me back to the studio to derive a new composition or piece”.

My goal always is, to enhance the imagination and curiosity of the audience and offer an interesting and captivating visual experience that invites the Viewer to return.

LINKS
https://cordelltaylor.com

IMAGES

Cordell Taylor, Energy Solutions Commission, “Return to Nature,” 2015, Steel 156h x 268w x 36d in.

Cordell Taylor, Federal Building, “Overlord,” 2011, Steel 68h x 50w x 24d in.

Cordell Taylor, UDABC Bountiful Commission, “ARC,” 2011, Steel 108h x 60w x 60d in.

Cordell Taylor, UTA Commission, “QUEUE,” 1998/2023, Corten Steel, 120h x 72w x 48d in.

Cordell Taylor, Hinkle Commission, “Reclining Figure,” 2007, Steel, 54h x 72w x 36d in.

Cordell Taylor, Creek Place Commission, “Sentry,” 2009, Steel 96h x 36w x 36d in.

Cordell Taylor, HELPER Project Commission, “SHIFT,” 2019, Steel 78h x 50w x 16d in.

Cordell Taylor, Utah OPERA Commission, “CHORUS,” 1998, Steel 120h x 60w x 24d in.

Cordell Taylor, Ferrer Commission, “Family Figures,” 2021, Steel, 96h x 36w x 36d in.

Cordell Taylor, E Taylor Commission, “BITS,” 2023, Steel 60h x 30w x 15d in.

Utah Artists Directory

Artist listings in our Utah Artists Directories are open to all visual artists who reside part-time or full-time in the state of Utah. The listings will remain on our site as long as the artist resides in the state. There is no annual fee for the artist listings. A one-time setup fee is required to create an artist listing. To learn how to create your listing click here.